Steel tanks and compass
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adza
Contributor
Personally, I'd doubt it (or not enough to worry you). If the compas was an inch or so away from the tank, I'd say then that their's a possibility, but if you wear your tanks on your back or sides - you should be pretty safe.
rob_za
Registered
I asked the very same question during my navigation training a couple of days ago.
Actually a steel cylinder does interfere with the compass. However, the compass needs to be quite close to the cylinder (about 1 or 2 cm) for the cylinder to have any influence (we checked this on land ). So unless you have the compass strapped to the cylinder you won't have a problem using it while diving.
Rob
Actually a steel cylinder does interfere with the compass. However, the compass needs to be quite close to the cylinder (about 1 or 2 cm) for the cylinder to have any influence (we checked this on land ). So unless you have the compass strapped to the cylinder you won't have a problem using it while diving.
Rob
crpntr133
lost, even with a compass
steel tank no, scooter yes. Just got to watch it.
MSilvia
Contributor
The tanks do affect the compass, but so does your location in the world.
Unless you're so particular about your navigation that you're already making adjustments for magnetic variation, you shouldn't have to worry about it much... it'll still be accurate/consistant enough for ballpark navigation in close proximity. You won't have a 100% accurate reading, but you're probably off by quite a bit already without knowing it. If you look at the compass rose on a nautical chart for your area, it should give the magnetic variation in degrees and the annual adjustment that should be factored in. Any good boating navigation text should be able to explain how to use it. Unless you're planning to cover significant distance (on the order of miles) during your dive though, you shouldn't need to worry about that, or about the deviation caused by your gear.
In any case, the tanks shouldn't be making the compass needle point to your back, spin wildly, or anything like that.
Unless you're so particular about your navigation that you're already making adjustments for magnetic variation, you shouldn't have to worry about it much... it'll still be accurate/consistant enough for ballpark navigation in close proximity. You won't have a 100% accurate reading, but you're probably off by quite a bit already without knowing it. If you look at the compass rose on a nautical chart for your area, it should give the magnetic variation in degrees and the annual adjustment that should be factored in. Any good boating navigation text should be able to explain how to use it. Unless you're planning to cover significant distance (on the order of miles) during your dive though, you shouldn't need to worry about that, or about the deviation caused by your gear.
In any case, the tanks shouldn't be making the compass needle point to your back, spin wildly, or anything like that.
I've been happy with my navigation diving exclusively steel cylinders. I will keep this in mind next time I get turned around in my head and swim home the wrong way though. :11:
Pete
Pete
No difference at all. I've helped with a bunch of nav dives in the quarry where we shoot a bearing from the platform to the helicopter. Whether I'm diving steel or aluminumn, the bearing I get is always the same.
royalediver
Contributor
TVMDC add W every boater know this!
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True Virgins Make Dull Company add Whiskey
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